The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-12
editorial 8rfets.
BY REV. 1. NJ. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton. N. Y.

ing in the way OF foreign missions. Our
esteemed contemporary is quick at fig
ures, let it do this little sum: il the fail
ure of UniversRlists to engage in the work
of foreign missions for a period of over
three-quarters OF century proves that
"the belief of Universalism cuts the nerve
of missions" what does the failure of the
| Congregational churches to undertake
foreign missions for period of two hum
! dred years prove?
Our esteemed contemporary makes
! light Of the recent action of the General
Convention on the subject of foreign mis-
sions. Instead of the warm word OF approx
al we had a right to expect, our neighbor
curls his classic lip and averts his pre-
Rsphaelite nose. This is not handsome of
him. II he really wants the heather
saved, and il it truly grieves his good
heart that Universalists are not more
zealously affected in the work of saving
their fellows, he should hail the " late
venture" of our Convention with phil
anthropist's sincere Joy. Wehslf believe
the work of saving the heather with US
as it is to share heaven with us.
And who told our esteemed contem-
porary that the subject of foreign mis-
sions was approached by the Convention
with timid hesitancy?" The figure of
the knowing, sensitive horse is pretty
but inapplicable. The discussion on for
eign missions came at stage in the pro-
ceedings when business crowded and the
time was short. But the speeches were
prompt and fervent. The interest in the
subject was strong and deep. No one
present at the Convention could have the
smallest doubt of that. We have the best
OF reasons for knowing that many who
did not speak on the subject were pre-
vented by the knowledge that it was a
theme on which all were eager to give
their testimony. The good of souls does
not require you to bear false witness,
neighbor.
The Yearly Meeting of Friends held
in Philadelphia in September Issued an
address to the people of the United
States on War We have read it with
care and cannot gainsay it's truth nor re-
sist it's force. 1t is a calm, candid pre-
sentation of the evils of war and of the
military spirit; and so far as the United
States are concerned, it makes conclusive
the proposition that we are utterly with
out excuse for being anything other than
nation of peace. The Friends have this
great distinction among the different
sects of Christians, that they not only
profess to be disciples of Christ, but are
really trying in a practical way to be his
| followers.
1t is a pleasing coincidence, that at
the same time with the appearance of the
Friends Address, a delegation from Great
/ Britain, representing an influential por-
! ton of the British Parliament and a So
| ciety of workingmen, arrive in this coun-
! try and present an address to the Presi-
| dent in behalf Of the substitution of ar
| bitration for arms in the settlement OF
national disputes. The President re-
ceived the addresses and memorials with
evident sympathy and ventured to "speak
/
surance that they desire to see the killing
of men for the accomplishment of nation
al ambition abolished"
And there is one more sect. 1t con-
sists at present of the Rev. Charles Fl.
! Spurgeon, and will be constituted OF
such Baptists as agree with him in seced-
ing from the British Baptist Union. Mr.
Spurgeon takes himself out Of that organ
ization and out of fraternal relations with
the great body of English Baptists, who
compose and support the Union, because
he cannot any longer fellowship so much
laxity and liberalism as sails under the
Baptist flag in England. He says that
persons are allowed to remain in the
Union, "Who make light of the atone
ment, deny the personality of the Holy
Ghost, call the Fall fable, speak OF JUS
tifcation by faith as universal, refuse
credence to the dogma of the plenary in
spiration Of the Holy Scriptures, and hold
that there Is another probation after
death, with possibility of a future resti-
tuition of the lost" What dreadful people
those British Baptists must be
Rev J. A. Adams, writing in the
Inter ocean, says of the Andoyer i'm
provement on Orthodoxy: "Our principal
| business just now is to keep this doctrine
out, it makes no difference under what
guise it comes" Well, brother, we wish
/ you success in the "business" OF keep
ing the Andover heresy out of the Con-
gregational churches. We agree with
you that it will destroy their orthodoxy,
and "revolutionize" them. If you could
only keep it out it might go to it's own
| place. But we fear you are too late in
shutting the gate, The detestable and
| destructive doctrine of second proba-
| ton is already in the Congregational
/ churches, ravaging them East and West.
To shut the gate is more likely to keep it
in than out.
An article in the critic on Education
and Co-Education," based, we Judge, on
a very superficial acquaintance with those
| colleges in which men and women pursue
the same studies IN the same classes, pro-
nounces for separate colleges for women
as ''much better" The authors reasons
/ for this preference are not stated, except
/ in this rather vague intimation: "a
result of a somewhat crude civilization,
such as we see III its elements in the
country school, it, the college in which
| co-educatiOn is prRctlsed) is not calcula-
-.